Well Drilling Assemblies and Methods

ABSTRACT

Break out wrench assemblies are provided that can include: a pair of opposing arms linked by an actuator; at least one wheel assembly having an axle substantially normal to a surface of at least one of the opposing arms; and a power source coupled to the wheel. Methods for separating linked longitudinal sections are provided, the methods can include: providing at least two linked longitudinal sections; securing one of the two linked longitudinal sections; contacting another of the two linked longitudinal sections with at least one wheel; and powering the wheel to rotate the other of the sections in relation to the secured section.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/649,740 which was filed on May 21, 2012, the entirety ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of well drilling and wellmaintenance activities that utilize multiple pipe components that arelinked together by some type of threaded connection. In particularembodiments, the present disclosure relates to breakout wrenches thatmay be utilized to break apart these pipe components as well as rodspinners.

BACKGROUND

In the field of well drilling, oil, gas, or water well drilling, it isbecoming a necessity to drill wells deeper than ever before. As aresult, more power is needed to rotate the multiple lengths of drillpipe that are utilized to reach these depths during well drilling. Theselengths of pipe are connected to one another via a threaded fitting.Upon removing the pipe from the well, it is necessary to break the pipecomponents or lengths apart at the well head. This can be anextraordinarily dangerous action, as it requires operators to exert atremendous amount of force in a sometimes unsafe manner to break apartthese components. The present disclosure provides breakout wrenchassemblies and methods that can be utilized to assist operators inbreaking apart pipe components safely, as well as torquing them up toproper specifications.

SUMMARY

Break out wrench assemblies are provided that can include: a pair ofopposing arms linked by an actuator; at least one wheel assembly havingan axle substantially normal to a surface of at least one of theopposing arms; and a power source coupled to the wheel.

Methods for separating linked longitudinal sections are provided, themethods can include: providing at least two linked longitudinalsections; securing one of the two linked longitudinal sections;contacting another of the two linked longitudinal sections with at leastone wheel; and powering the wheel to rotate the other of the sections inrelation to the secured section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to thefollowing accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one subassembly of a breakout wrenchaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of another subassembly of a breakout wrenchaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the two subassemblies of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a breakout wrench at one stage of operation according to anembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a breakout wrench at another stage of operation according toan embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a breakout wrench at another stage of operation according toan embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a breakout wrench at another state of operation according toan embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a breakout wrench at a stage of operationaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a breakout wrench at another stage of operation according toan embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a hydraulic schematic of a controller as it relates to thebreakout wrench of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a depiction of the breakout wrench according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 12A-12B depict a series of breakout wrench operations according toan embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a depiction of a spinner arm according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is another view of the spinner arm of FIG. 13 according to anembodiment.

FIG. 15 is a depiction of another spinner arm according to anembodiment.

FIG. 16 is another view of the other spinner arm of FIG. 15 according toan embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a depiction of a spinner assembly associated with a breakoutwrench according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is another view of the spinner assembly and breakout wrench ofFIG. 18 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a hydraulic schematic of the control panel as it relates toboth the breakout wrench of the present disclosure and/or the spinnerassembly of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutionalpurposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science anduseful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

The present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-19.Referring first to FIG. 1, a subassembly 16 of breakout wrench assembly12 (shown in FIG. 11) is depicted. As can be seen, this subassemblyincludes an actuator 21 that can be coupled to opposing arms 19 havingteeth 20. Upper plate 22 and side walls 26 and 24 as well as bottomplate 28 can form a housing that encloses arms 19 and provides pivotrotation for arms 19 within this housing. This housing can be engaged toa rail 30 which is mounted to a rotation plate 32 to form recess 31(FIG. 3). Recess 31 can form a track configured to receive rail 46.Below actuator 21 can be a pivot housing that includes back plate 34 aswell as eyelets 36 and 38 respectively. Actuators can include hydrauliccylinders.

Referring to FIG. 2, another subassembly 18 is shown that includes anactuator 40 coupled to opposing arms 42 having teeth 44 associatedtherewith. Upper plate 48 as well as side walls 50 and front walls 56and bottom plate 52 can form a housing that encloses arms 42 and engagesthem in a pivotable rotation therewith. Above upper plate 48 ofsubassembly 18 can be rail 46 which is engaged to couple with recess 31.At opposing sides of subassembly 12 can be one or more actuators 58 and60, respectively. Acutator 58 can pivotably couple with eyelet 54 asshown and actuator 60 can couple with opposing eyelet 54. Theseactuators cylinders can have opposing ends, and one opposing end can beconfigured to couple to eyelet 36 as shown in FIG. 1. Actuator 60 can beconfigured to couple with eyelet 38 as shown in FIG. 1 as well.

Referring to FIG. 3, the subassemblies are shown in a subset explodedview associated with one another as subassembly 16 is shown associatedwith subassembly 18. Posts 43 can support the second subassembly abovethe first subassembly via rail 46 and recess 31.

Referring to FIG. 4, operation of the wrench can include configuring thewrench to couple with a pipe 23 as shown in FIG. 5. Pipe 23 can be atleast a pair of longitudinal sections configured to releasably couple.Examples include sections of drilling pipe. As can be seen, wrench 10 isin an operable position 25 proximate pipe 23 rather than anotherposition away from pipe 23. According to this stage of operation, theassembly 18 would engage the arms to engage a section of pipe. Referringto FIG. 5, a top view of this engagement is shown with the upperassembly rotated at least slightly askew from the lower assembly.

Referring to FIG. 6, at this stage, both the upper and lower arms of theassembly would engage the pipe with the upper assembly askew to thelower assembly, engaging an upper length of pipe, and as FIG. 7demonstrates, at this stage of operation, the upper assembly can beutilized to grip and move the upper length of pipe in a directionunlocking or unscrewing the upper length of pipe from the lower lengthof pipe.

Referring to FIG. 8, another view of the disclosure shows the upper subassembly in an opposing or counterclockwise skew to the lower subassembly and in FIG. 9, this is depicted as well.

FIG. 10 demonstrates the schematic for the depicted control panel. Thisschematic aligns the pressure regulation of the three various valvesthat control the upper wrench to rotate or upper assembly and lowerassembly clamping force, respectively. This schematic can include gaugesthat have respective control pressure valves residing therewith.

FIG. 11 is a depiction of the completed sub assembly, and FIGS. 12A and12B are a series of rotations indicating the use of the arms and therotation of the pipes associated therewith with arms 4 and 5, indicatingthe upper arms of the upper sub assembly and arms 1 and 2 indicating thelower arms of the lower sub assembly. Controller 14 and wrenchassemblies 12 and 18 can be supported and/or mechanically connected viaplatform 112. Controller 14 can provide hydraulic fluid control ofactuators via lines 110. Platform 112 may be coupled to one or morewheels 114 configured to engage support and movement of the breakoutwrench between operational and non-operational locations. As isdepicted, this series indicates the different stages that the wrenchutilizes to break apart the pipe sections.

In accordance with an additional embodiment of the disclosure and withreference to FIGS. 13-19, a spinner assembly is described that can beused alone or in association with the breakout wrench assembliesdescribed. Referring first to FIG. 13, a spinner arm 119 is shownextending along a length from a first end 121 to a second end 125 andestablishing at least one angle 123 proximate a pivot point of arm 119.The pivot point can be about the midpoint of arm 119 and define anopening. End 121 can define an opening 127 configured to couple with anactuator, such as a hydraulic piston. At angle 123 of arm 119 anotheropening 129 may be defined. Opening 129 can be configured to couple witha frame or housing allowing arm 119 to rotate about a rod within thehousing. End 125 can define another housing configured to receive atleast one wheel assembly, such as a powered wheel assembly. End 125 candefine opening 131 which can be configured to receive an axle of thewheel assembly such as a drive shaft from a motor mounted thereon. Theaxle can be substantially normal to a surface of the one arm.

Referring to FIG. 14, another view of arm 119 is shown detailing end 125to define housing sidewall 133 and top 135. The one wheel assembly canbe configured to be received by the housing

Referring to FIG. 15 another spinner arm 120 is shown extending fromfirst end 122 to second end 126 and establishing at least one pivotpoint 124 proximate the midpoint of arm 120. End 122 can define anopening 128 configured to couple with an actuator such as a hydraulicpiston. In accordance with example configurations, an opposing end ofthe piston coupled to opening 127 can be coupled to opening 128, thepiston configured to deliver expansive or restrictive force between theopenings and in so doing ends 121 and 122.

At angle 124 of arm 122 another opening 130 is defined. Opening 130 canbe configured to couple with a frame or housing allowing arm 122 torotate about a rod within the housing. The rod configured to couple withopening 130 can be configured in the frame or housing opposing the rodconfigured to couple with opening 129. Such configuration can align arms119 and 120 in a scissor configuration opposing one another. End 126 candefine another housing configured to receive another wheel assembly suchas a free wheel assembly. End 126 can define openings 132 which areconfigured to receive axles aligned substantially normal to the surfaceof arm 120 and house free wheel assemblies.

Referring to FIG. 16, another view of arm 120 is shown depicting end 126with housing wall 134 and top 136. This housing can be configured toreceive a set of free wheels therein for example as well as configuredto define a recess configured to receive a longitudinal section.

In accordance with example implementations, when arms 119 and 120 arecoupled within a housing at openings 129 and 130 respectively, end 125can oppose end 126. As described, end 125 can couple a motor to power awheel assembly and this power wheel can oppose the free wheels of end126. In accordance with example methods, a portion of a section ofthreaded pipe can be positioned between the ends 125 and 126, the motoractivated and the pipe spun or rotated on its lengthwise axis to beremoved from a length pipe maintained in a fixed position.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, views of spinner assembly 200 associatedwith breakout wrench assembly 12 are shown. Referring first to FIG. 17,spinner assembly 200 can include a piston 202 operatively engagedbetween ends 121 and 122 of arms 119 and 120 respectively. These armsare operatively coupled within housing/frame 214 which is biaslysupported by support member 204. Biasing members 204 can be springs orthe like, for example. Referring to FIG. 18, another view of assemblies200 and 12 are shown. Accordingly, motor 208 can be mounted above end125 and operatively engage motorized wheel 210. Motor 208 can be ahydraulic motor for example. An example motor can include but is notlimited to White Drive Products Inc. JLH Model Number 355200A7120AAAAASO# 9577 (hydraulicsuperstore.com, 837 W. 3rd Street, P.O. Box 787,Lansdale, PA 19446, 877-357-6491). Free wheels 212 can be mounted withinend 126. The components of the systems and assemblies of the presentdisclosure can be manufactured of steel for example. Referring to FIG.19, a hydraulic schematic is provided to facilitate the operation of theeither or both of the breakout wrench and the spinner assembly.

In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural andmethodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the entireinvention is not limited to the specific features and/or embodimentsshown and/or described, since the disclosed embodiments comprise formsof putting the invention into effect.

1. A break out wrench assembly comprising: a pair of opposing armslinked by an actuator; at least one wheel assembly having an axlesubstantially normal to a surface of at least one of the opposing arms;and a power source coupled to the wheel.
 2. The breakout wrench assemblyof claim 1 wherein each of the pair of opposing arms include a pivotpoint located along the length of each arm between the arms opposingends.
 3. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 2 wherein the pivot pointincludes an opening.
 4. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 2 whereinthe pivot point defines a bend in the length of each arm.
 5. Thebreakout wrench assembly of claim 1 wherein the one opposing arm isconfigured to house the one wheel assembly, the housing having sidewallsextending from the one arm and extending to a roof.
 6. The breakoutwrench assembly of claim 1 further comprising another wheel assemblyassociated with the other opposing arm.
 7. The breakout wrench assemblyof claim 6 wherein the other opposing arm is configured to house theother wheel assembly, the housing having sidewalls extending from theone arm and extending to a roof.
 8. The breakout wrench assembly ofclaim 6 wherein the other wheel assembly is a pair of wheels with eachwheel having an individual axle aligned normal to the surface of theother arm.
 9. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 8 wherein the otherwheel assembly defines a recess.
 10. The breakout wrench assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the power source is a hydraulic motor.
 11. A method forseparating linked longitudinal sections, the method comprising:providing at least two linked longitudinal sections; securing one of thetwo linked longitudinal sections; contacting another of the two linkedlongitudinal sections with at least one wheel; and powering the wheel torotate the other of the sections in relation to the secured section. 12.The method of claim 11 wherein the linked longitudinal sections arelinked via a thread engagement.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein thesecuring comprises actuating a first pair of opposing arms to secure atleast one of the sections.
 14. The method of claim 13 furthercomprising: actuating a second pair of opposing arms to secure at leastanother section; and actuating a rotation of the second pair of opposingarms in relation to the first pair of opposing arms to unlock the onesection from the other section.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein thepowering the one wheel separates the one section from the other section.16. The method of claim 11 further comprising vising the other sectionbetween a pair of wheel assemblies, one of which is the powered wheelassembly and each of the pair is associated with opposing arms.
 17. Themethod of claim 16 further comprising actuating the opposing arms tovise the other section between the wheel assemblies.
 18. The method ofclaim 11 wherein the longitudinal sections are sections of drillingpipe.
 19. The method of claim 11 wherein the actuating is hydraulicactuation.